Have you ever seen pictures of a lavender field and thought, WOW?

Well, I certainly feel like this every single time I see pictures of lavender farms. I instantly think of that typical Lavender scent and I am amazed and fascinated by the vibrant purple colours.

I always wanted to see a Lavender field. So, a few weeks ago I decided it was time for me to get out and visit one. See all the beautiful colours for myself and enjoy the great outdoors. We need to make the most in Britain when the weather is good! 🙂

Believe it or not, but just on the outskirts of London, about 15 miles away in Surrey, you can find a beautiful Lavender field – Mayfield Lavender Farm.

The farm is 25 acres big and open during the summer. The Lavender season is from June to September and the farm itself is only open during those months. The weather can impact on when the Lavender is in full bloom, but peak time for Lavender is normally July to August.

There is a small fee to enter the field, but this is only £2,50 per person. So very reasonable and well worth it.

On side you can find a shop that sells a variety of Lavender products such as soaps, cider, fragrances, candles, Lavender plants and much more.

Picnics are not allowed in the field, but there is a cafe that sells salads, sandwiches, burgers, cakes and refreshments. If you want to be fancy you can even go there for some Lavender themed Afternoon Tea.

A great way to get around the farm is by tractor. Tours last around 15 minutes and cost £2,00 per person. The tractor ride runs throughout the day. It starts from around 10.30 am and is linked to demand.

THE HISTORY OF MAYFIELD LAVENDER FARM

It is all thanks to Brendan Maye that the public is able to enjoy the beauty of the Lavender farm year after year.

Back in the 1990s he was the Managing Director for the fine fragrance division of Wella UK. It was more or less his interest and passion for Lavender that led to getting the lease for the land in 2002 by the business.

However, when Wella UK was bought off, the new company did not want to keep the Lavender farm any longer as they had no need for it anymore.

Mr Maye made the decision to purchase the farm himself and with the help of his wife, they turned the farm into what it is today. The farm is open to the public since 2008.

Interesting fact is that the site was originally a Victorian Lavender field in the first place. So, it was really restored to its former glory.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT LAVENDER

• It is said that the name Lavender comes from the Latin verb lavare or even the French verb laver, both meaning to wash.
• Back in the days during Elizabethan times, Lavender was used to perfume bed linen and clothes as it was not normal to have a bath very often. The scent left a pleasant smell. And during Roman times Lavender was used to scent the bathwater.
• Apparently Lavender was used for mummification by the ancient Egyptian over 2500 years ago.
• Most flowers represent something, and Lavender is associated with devotion, luck, success, happiness, but also distrust.
• Lavender can also be pink or yellow.
• Its scent can avert insects and pests such as flies, mosquitos and mice.
• Lavender is often being used to aid sleep, lessen stress and anxiety and alleviate aching joints and muscles.
• Lavender is so versatile, it is used in cooking, in essential oils, perfumes, herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

MAYFIELD LAVENDER FARM REVIEW

I had such a good time visiting the farm. The air smelled amazing and all the colours just put a smile on my face.

I was not able to stop taking pictures as there were so many great backgrounds. I believe I waited about 10 min to get that first picture with the bee, but I wanted a shot with an insect in it so badly 🙂

The farm is a reasonable size and you can wonder between any of the rows. It was a warm day when I went, and the farm was busy. Still, it did not feel crowded at all as everyone just wandered off in any direction. The crowd really dispersed.

Also, there is no time constraint. You can spend all your day between the Lavender if you feel like it.

The shop is a good size and the products are lovely. The cafe has also a good variety of food options and they are prized reasonably. I had a Coronation Chicken Sandwich, some crisps and their famous Lavender lemonade, which was super tasty by the way, and paid around £9,00.

It is simply a great place.

• Opening times:  1st June to 1st September 2019; Open daily from 9 am to 6 pm
• Admission: Adults – £2.50; Children 16 and under – Free
• How to get there: By Public Transport – Check Google Maps for directions as there are several options. The best is to take a train that goes from Victoria to Purley. From there, you can take bus 166 to Oaks Park. Parking is free, but there is limited capacity. By Car – The post code for SATNAV is SM7 3JA
• For more information please visit:                 https://www.mayfieldlavender.com/

FINAL THOUGHTS…

Mayfield Lavender Farm is a great place to go with the family. It is really stunning and beautiful.

I really like that they do not try to rip people of as they only charge a small entrance fee. I would have been happy to spend for example £5,00, but again it comes back to the owners being reasonable. I also believe that more revenue is coming from the cafe and shop. Trying Lavender infused treats is definitely appealing.

It is furthermore a cheap day out option. If you do not want to spend money in the shop and the cafe, that is fine. In this case the only thing you have to pay is the £2,50 per person for the entrance fee.

Make sure to take some sunscreen and your camera with you. On a hot day there is not much shade as it is an open field and you would want to take loads of pictures.